How to become an enterprising woman (page 1 of 2)

Today, according to eMarketer, an online resource for Internet and e-business market research information, women show stronger interest than men in such areas as online communication, particularly email, health and travel content, online games, music and shopping. "The Internet allows women to get more done in a shorter time; shop, plan trips, look for homes," says Mary Hunt, New Media Catalyst, Interpret-Her. "The Internet allows women to be social and pro-active at the same time."

With growing female influence across the Internet, female e-entrepreneurship is one area that deserves particular attention. More and more women are embracing this area for two reasons: firstly, because there are multiple, great opportunities online, and secondly, because of the parenthood and family responsibilities that fall on their shoulders. "There is no better option for UAE women than IT, because it offers them the freedom to work from home and requires minimum interaction with others", said Aisha Butti Bin Bishr, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai.

Women have made extraordinary progress in the e-business world. Tejari.com is an excellent example. Since its launch in June 2000, Tejari (www.tejari.com) has become one of the fundamental drivers of B2B trading in the Middle East with more than $800m in an overall value of transactions. Under the dynamic leadership of its chief executive officer, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, who has become a well know figure in the world of global e-marketplaces, Tejari records a growth rate in the number of online auctions of over 250% every year, witnesses over 1,000 online tenders every month and regularly experiences a monthly membership increase of between 100% and 150%. This is by far the Middle East's most successful e-marketplace, and is now growing faster than ever.

However, even taking into consideration that, there are more high earning women entrepreneurs today than ever before, there still seems to be a systematic gender bias towards women-owned businesses. That is largely based on stereotypes that women do not invest sufficient capital in their business or that they do not possess strong business skills and are not ready to accept risks.

These assumptions create significant barriers for those, who are willing to create substantial businesses of their own. "Initially it was a very tough sell", recalls Eva Jeanbart Lorenzotti, the founder of the on-line luxury lifestyle catalogue Vivre. "People said, 'You're a really nice little girl, but would you please go home'.

However, research shows that women-owned businesses are as financially sound and creditworthy as any other average business. And now Vivre has the list of 120 luxury partners, such as Cartier and Missoni, Burberry, Ferragamo and Cristofle, and the average customer of its 3 million-person circulation orders about $450 worth of luxury goods every time.

So here comes the question: what does it take for a woman to become a successful business leader?

First of all, you need an idea. Think what you would do, if you had all the money in the world, and did not have to work. Use the world around you as the constant source of fascination. Then, stay loyal to your idea and believe in yourself.

"You can always join the mainstream later. Go fulfill the idea you're most passionate about," says Helen Greiner, co-founder and president of iRobot, which manufactures robots for industrial and consumer applications.